Mixed result for Southside in litter report

IT was a mixed result for the Southside in the latest litter league results.

The Irish Business Against Litter’s (IBAL) Anti-Litter League for 2013 found that while Dun Laoghaire retained its status as

‘Cleaner than European norms’ Tallaght fell badly in the rankings, with just three top ranking sites in the area this time around compared to five in their last survey.

Set up in 1996, IBAL is an alliance of companies that share the belief that economic prosperity, particularly in the areas of tourism, food and direct foreign investment depend on a clean, litter-free environment.

In compiling the league, An Taisce monitors towns with a population of 6,000 and over in accordance with international grading standards.

The programme is run in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government.

In this latest league report the authors stated that they would like to see an improvement in Tallaght going forward.

“All approach roads were littered to some extent with the route from the M50 Roundabout to Tallaght seriously littered,

? the report notes.

“The residential area of Brookmount was in very good order, clear of litter and well maintained.

“Tallaght Village was well served by litter bins but unfortunately it was still moderately littered,

? it adds.

However, Dun Laoghaire was praised for

“another excellent result

?.

“Seven out of the 10 sites surveyed in Dun Laoghaire got the top litter grade,

? the report states.

“Some of the particularly good ones included Eden Park Recycle Facility, Dun Laoghaire Community Training College Ltd and George’s Street, Upper.

“The latter scored particularly well considering there were so many closed down/vacant outlets. The only bad site was the L-shaped lane way off York Road.

“Unfortunately, it has been let slide to the seriously littered state that existed for years.

“This is a pity as it was clean for a while,

? the report adds.

The Anti-Litter League survey of 42 towns and cities showed that 19 were cleaner than the European average, with a further 16 in line with the average.

All of Ireland’s cities were clean in 2013, with Dublin City Clean to European Norms for the first time in 18 years of monitoring.

“With Dublin City attaining litter-free status, we can say without reservation that Ireland has never been so clean,

? said IBAL Chairman Dr Tom Cavanagh.

“I want to acknowledge the efforts of the local authorities in bringing this about.

?

However, IBAL described the number of vacant properties in Ireland’s towns, which they say tends to attract litter and detract from the visual landscape, as a growing concern.

A snapshot survey by An Taisce shows that as many as one-third of commercial properties in towns are empty, with the average rate at just over 20 per cent.

IBAL said sweet papers, cigarette butts, fast food packaging and chewing gum are the main culprits when it comes to litter on the streets.

“IBAL views the persistent problem of gum on pavements as negating the impact of our cleaner streets,

? they said.